After tsunami scare, Guidicelli finishes XTERRA race

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – Actor and athlete Matteo Guidicelli called it the "hardest race ever" but he nonetheless crossed the finish line at the 2012 XTERRA World Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on the island of Maui, Hawaii on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

Guidicelli was among the estimated 750 athletes from around the world who participated in the triathlon event.

Drew Arellano, Matteo Guidicelli and Noy Jopson at the finish of the XTERRA World Championship in Hawaii on Sunday. Photo from Guidicelli's Twitter account

"Thank you Lord for keeping me and everyone safe! It was the hardest race I've ever done. Thank you team, Vaseline Men!" Guidicelli said on his official Twitter account.

The actor, however, did not mention his time.

He also praised fellow participant, host Drew Arellano. "Drew Arellano is my hero. I swear. He is the coolest guy in the whole world. Thank you, brother," he said.

It was a tense 24 hours for Guidicelli. A tsunami warning was issued for Hawaii late Saturday night, local time, although it was eventually cancelled several hours later and did not affect the race.

"Tsunami warning here at our place. This is scary. Please Lord keep us safe," he tweeted on Saturday night.

"Watching the news for updates. But we are okay," he later tweeted.

With the tsunami warning lifted, Guidicelli woke up all set for the race.

"Good morning! 6am here in Hawaii.. It's race day. Getting ready for the race. Breakfast time," he announced via Twitter one hour before the start of the race.